Letter from the Editor

The October issue is always one of my favorites, because I get a first peek at all of the exceptional artists whose work is showcased in this issue.  This year was no exception, and the 20 artists we featured all have a different, but equally enchanting, voice.  This issue is definitely one for the coffee table!

There’s lots to read in our regular pages as well:  Jan Westmark goes On Course with Candice King and junior Reed Kessler, who’s been busy racking up the blue ribbons this summer. Erin Gilmore shares a wonderful story about Swingtime, the jumper that really, really wanted to be a hunter, and Lauren Giannini interviewed our cover contest winner, Christina Gray, and did some great interviews with Huntsman Martyn Blackmore and eventer Stephen Bradley.

No issue would be complete without our Equine Law column, and this time, Lisa Hollister definitely gives us some food for thought when it comes to selling (or buying) a horse.

Dynamic photog dup Kim and Allen MacMillan covered the NAYRC for us, and their photos made me feel as if I’d been there;  I know you will enjoy them as well.  Diana De Rosa asks Juliet Reid a few questions about being president of the Washington International Horse Show as well as being a horse show mom.  I know you’ll enjoy a little insight into this very busy lady.

As always, there’s lots more:  our junior columnists always have an interesting perspective on this wonderful world of horses, and where would we be without our Pony Kids?  So settle in and enjoy.

 

Until next month,
Cornelia Henderson

 

 

Letter from the Contributing Editor

There are as many definitions of the perfect image as there are people and personalities to define what the perfect image is. To some, it is a rider and horse setting out with their trainer on a misty morning. To others, it is a crisp, bright, action-packed moment in equine sport. And to still others, it is the everlasting sight that we see from the saddle, the perspective featured on our cover this month.

Throughout the past year, I’ve enjoyed leading Sidelines into the world of social media. This month, we took another step forward to connect with our online community by seeking out our October cover image through a contest promoted and run entirely through our social media platforms. I think that is notable in itself. Just as notable was the great response from our followers around the world, who voted from a selection of four finalists and picked the winning cover shot.

If you voted, thank you! We thoroughly enjoyed holding this cover contest, and you can expect more like it in the future. But this month, I hope you read with special interest about photographer Christina Gray, winner of the first-ever Sidelines Cover Contest. And enjoy her interpretation of the perfect image, for our annual artists issue, it’s a perfect fit.

Erin Gilmore
Contributing Editor